Minit
- April 3, 2018
- Devolver Digital
- 4h median play time
The death timer can feel like a gimmick sometimes, but it gives this fun, charming adventure a compelling edge.
Minit is a peculiar little adventure played sixty seconds at a time.
Reviews
- Unique and engaging time mechanic that adds urgency to gameplay.
- Charming art style and delightful soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
- Fun puzzles and exploration that encourage players to think strategically.
- Very short playtime, typically around 1.5 to 2 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
- Some puzzles can be obscure or unintuitive, leading to frustration.
- The time limit mechanic can feel more like a nuisance than a challenge in certain situations.
- gameplay240 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is centered around a unique 60-second life mechanic that encourages exploration and puzzle-solving, reminiscent of classic Zelda games. While the mechanic adds a sense of urgency and novelty, many players feel it is underutilized, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel repetitive and shallow despite its charm and engaging art style. Overall, the game offers a fun, albeit brief, adventure that may appeal to those who enjoy experimental mechanics, but some players wish for deeper integration of the time constraint into the gameplay.
“The gameplay primarily consists of exploration (with fighting when necessary, plus a final boss), which will result in finding new items that allow exploration of new areas.”
“The gameplay loop is satisfying as hell, and I would recommend it to anyone with change to spare.”
“The 60 second mechanic makes the game have a constant sense of urgency, but at the same time makes death be completely inconsequential.”
“The game would be largely the same even if you removed the mechanic entirely.”
“The actual gimmick itself could have been explored in more interesting ways potentially, with puzzles tied to multiple small save zones, or switching items out within one instance of gameplay to solve a puzzle.”
- music124 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and charming soundtrack, often highlighting the work of composer Jukio Kallio. The sound design complements the gameplay well, enhancing the overall experience without becoming repetitive or annoying. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature that adds significant value to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“The soundtrack is so catchy too!”
“The music is lovely, with each set of areas getting its own, and the sound effects feel appropriate.”
“The music by jukio kallio is a masterpiece, it's so entertaining that it would make your grandma wanna go on an adventure, too.”
“The music is nothing to write home about; it just... fits.”
“It has no memorable characters, music, or gameplay mechanics other than its initial one.”
“The music seemed neat, and the Game Boy style graphics seem fine for what they are, but none of it really blew me away.”
- graphics107 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, minimalist pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro games, particularly those on the Game Boy. While some players appreciate the simplicity and whimsy of the visuals, others find them occasionally unclear, making it difficult to discern objects and interact with the environment. Overall, the aesthetic is generally well-received, contributing to the game's unique character and enjoyable experience.
“The minimalistic graphics fit the simple gameplay very well and create a great retro charm.”
“I was instantly spellbound from the moment I booted it up and fell in love with its simple but wonderfully evocative graphics, its humor, the wonderful music, and the simple yet compelling nature of its puzzles.”
“Minit's graphics are particularly charming, and they still manage to be rather readable in their one-bit 16-by-16 pixel limits; which is no small feat.”
“The graphics are as bad as it gets, but it didn't really bother me too much.”
“The game's monochromatic art style does the job it needs to in evoking the older Zelda games, particularly those on the original Game Boy - and in my case, Link's Awakening.”
“Boring visuals that lack detail and sometimes make things hard to see, a little short although it does have rewarding replay incentives.”
- story100 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered light and simplistic, often described as lacking depth, with many players noting that the main quest can be completed in under two hours. While some side quests and NPC interactions add a bit of humor and charm, they do not significantly enhance the overall narrative or motivation to continue playing. However, the unique time-limited mechanic and engaging puzzles provide a fun gameplay experience, making the story feel more like a backdrop to the action rather than a central focus.
“The game does a really good job of conveying a story through gameplay rather than through cutscenes or long textual descriptions.”
“Despite its simplistic nature, Minit tells a captivating story of a cursed sword and its recipient.”
“For the big positive of the game, however, the majority of the main storyline has some really interesting and funny stuff going for it, with the tight time limit constantly applied being able to completely recontextualize what can be seen as a threat.”
“There's a small handful of mundane side quests, but there's not really the motivation to pursue them since the main story doesn't require anything of you.”
“The story is short; it lasts no more than an hour and a half, but it has many secrets, and if you want to complete them all, it will take you about two hours more.”
“The storyline doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but eh, who cares?”
- humor38 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and creativity, featuring funny dialogue, quirky characters, and amusing scenarios that enhance the overall experience. While some players feel the humor is light and doesn't delve deeply into its themes, many appreciate the clever writing and enjoyable comedic moments that keep the gameplay engaging. Overall, the game is described as a delightful blend of cute visuals and entertaining humor, making it a fun choice for those who enjoy lighthearted narratives and puzzles.
“The writing is funny, the art is pleasant, the sound design and music are satisfying.”
“The game itself is really funny and cute, the characters are pretty memorable due to their funny voices and feel.”
“Its lighthearted narrative, funny character design and lovely pixels are perfect at making the player feel welcome in this peculiar world.”
- replayability24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the inclusion of new game plus modes, speedrunning potential, and collectible challenges that enhance replay value, others feel that the overall content is too limited to justify its price. Many reviews suggest that the game is relatively short, and while it offers some replayable elements, it may not satisfy those looking for extensive content or variety. Overall, it seems best suited for completionists and speedrunners, with moderate replayability for casual players.
“So it's a great short game with tons of replay value, and overall if you're a fan of Vlambeer's work, like Nuclear Throne or Gun Godz, this game will be right up your alley.”
“There's also a new game plus which is dramatically harder in creative ways, many secrets, and obvious speedrun potential, so replayability seems pretty good.”
“The main quest can be completed in less than two hours, but there are still plenty of secrets I've yet to find, and a 'second run' that promises more replayability.”
“But I'd also recommend waiting for it to be less than £5; it doesn't have enough content or replayability to justify £7.”
“There isn't enough of a game here or replay value to warrant the £6.99 it cost.”
“Its fun factor is almost entirely around exploration and puzzle solving, so this game has no replay value.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the unique premise and satisfying puzzles are appreciated, many feel that the execution can become tedious, particularly due to time constraints and certain interactions that lack clarity. The game manages to maintain a balance by keeping the runtime short, but some players still find the repetitive elements and exploration frustrating.
“It can be tedious at times when you don't have much to think about and just keep moving.”
“The immediate problem comes back to the fact that you’ve only got a minute per life, as it makes any attempts at exploration feel painfully tedious and being at odds with wanting the player to experiment, leaving the idea of combing through the environment feeling incredibly unappealing in the long run.”
“It's a neat concept but the gameplay in practice feels really tedious.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its quirky charm and nostalgic appeal, reminiscent of classic titles with a focus on engaging gameplay rather than flashy graphics. The pixel art and memorable soundtrack contribute to a captivating experience that resonates with players, evoking fond memories of earlier gaming eras. Overall, the game's unique design and character-driven environment create a delightful and immersive atmosphere.
“A fantastic little game with a memorable soundtrack and wonderful atmosphere, A+.”
“Great soundtrack and atmosphere, and filled with charm; Minit is really fun.”
“Fun, original concept and nice design and atmosphere.”
“It reminded an old fart like me of the games I used to play on the Spectrum and C64, and I mean that as a huge compliment - back then, games were about atmosphere and gameplay, not shiny graphics, bloated open worlds, or microtransactions.”
“But a little more quirky and less accessible, love its characters and atmosphere.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally mixed; while some players report no glitches or bugs, others experience occasional frame drops to 30 fps and sound glitches, particularly during combat, which can be annoying but not game-breaking.
“I was able to boot it on SD, but the game would occasionally drop down to 30 FPS with severe freezes.”
“There are sound glitches here and there, especially while fighting; it's not a game breaker, but it's annoying.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and emotional warmth, drawing comparisons to beloved franchises like Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Kirby. Its concise gameplay, lasting around four hours, allows for a focused experience filled with charming details and adorable characters, contributing to an overall wholesome atmosphere.
“It gives vibes of Legend of Zelda, some of Metroid, and the wholesomeness of Kirby.”
“4 hours of pure wholesome fun.”
“Since the game is not too long, attention to detail is at a high level, and as a big plus, there are a lot of cute friends. The whole game is really cute and wholesome in general.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is described as typical for indie titles, with a weak cost/performance ratio highlighted by the relatively short gameplay duration of around four hours to achieve all achievements. Despite this, players found enjoyment in the experience, though comparisons to other games suggest it may not offer the best value.
“The typical indie optimization experience.”
“It took me around 4 hours to get all the achievements, which is honestly pretty weak performance, but I have to admit I enjoyed those 4 hours.”
“Typical indie optimization experience.”
“What did not impress me at all, though, is the cost/performance ratio, which is pretty weak considering you can get games like Wuppo for a very similar price.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by its cute character design and rich flavor text, contributing to a lighthearted narrative that creates an inviting atmosphere for players in this whimsical world.
“The cute character design and abundant flavor text really enhance the experience.”
“Its lighthearted narrative, funny character design, and lovely pixel art create a welcoming atmosphere in this peculiar world.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy includes ads during the second run of the game, which introduces minor challenges and a shorter time limit; however, players find this aspect trivial once they are familiar with the game's layout and story.
“The monetization model feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I find the in-game purchases to be excessive, making it hard to progress without shelling out real cash.”
“The constant ads and paywalls really detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”